Apparatus for machining a split engine ring and similar workpieces

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for machining ring-shaped workpieces, such as a split engine ring which is positioned at a work station, including: a machining tool movable in a cutting path of travel between a radially inner position and a radially outer position at the work station in a manner to progressively machine the radially inner surface of the workpiece.

United States Patent [191 Sullivan [451 Sept. 4, 1973 1 1 APPARATUS FORMACHINING A SPLIT ENGINE RING AND SIMILAR WORKPIECES [76] lnventor:Edward F. Sullivan, 4465 Bradshaw St., Saginaw 22 Filed: Jan. 3, 1972 21Appl. No.: 214,738

[52] US. Cl 82/2.7, 82/1.2, 82/2.5, 29/27 [51] Int. Cl..... B23b 5/26,B23b 13/00, B23b 15/00 [58] Field of Search 29/27; 82/12, 2.5, I 82/27[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Kelly 82 25 x 2,377,9606/1945 Phillips 29/27 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 393,047 10/1965Switzerland 29/27 Primary Examiner-Francis S. Husar Att0rney.lohn F.Learman et al.

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for machining ring-shaped workpieces, such as asplit engine ring which is positioned at a work station, including: amachining tool movable in a cutting path of travel between a radiallyinner position and a radially outer position at the work station in amanner to progressively machine the radially inner surface of theworkpiece.

17 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures LS-4 5 4 Q Patented Sept. 4, 1973 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Sept. 4, 1973 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m! \\L 2% 9 r 1mm Patented Sept. 4, 1973 3,756,099

5 Sheets-Sheet l5 l6 FIG?) Patented Sept. 4, 1973 3,756,099

5 SheetsSheet 4 I 1 i z1:11;); IIFIIIIEKI APPARATUS FOR MACHINING ASPLIT ENGINE RING AND SIMILAR WORKPIECES FIELD OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to machining apparatus, and more particularly toapparatus for machining theradially inner surface of a ring-shapedarticle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Gasoline engine rings, such as thoseutilized in Wankel type engines and the like, must be machined toprecision tolerances. It is important, therefore, that any play in anengine ring machining system be eliminated to minimize the tool chatterand vibration which causes the machining tool to unevenly andinaccurately machine engine rings. Accordingly, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide machining apparatus which will accuratelymachine engine rings and like workpieces.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus formachining the radially inner surfaces of ring-shaped articles, such asengine rings, and which positively controls the cutting movement of themachining tool.

To reduce plant inventory, it is desirable that machines of the typementioned have the capability of performing several different machiningoperations. It is imperative that the machine be of such constructionthat the changeover can be quickly accomplished to maximize production.Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide amachine which has the capability of performing several differentmachining operations on the interior surface of a ringshaped workpiece,such as an engine ring, with a minimum of change-over time between thedifferent machining operations.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide apparatusfor machining the radially inner surface of a ring-shaped workpiece,including an axially removable tool mounting cutter-head which can bequickly replaced.

If the radially outer and inner surfaces of such ringshaped workpiecesare sequentially machined, the outer and inner machined surfaces willgenerally not be concentric. It is still a further object of the presentinvention to provide apparatus which will simultaneously, concentricallymachine the radially outer and inner surfaces of a ring-shapedworkpiece.

Other objects and advantages of the present inventhe art as thedescription thereof proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Apparatus for machining ring-shaped workpieces,such as engine rings, including means for sequentially deliveringworkpieces to a machining station comprising means for axially movingthe workpieces to a machining station and for clamping axially oppositesides of a workpiece at the machining station, workpiece machining meansmounted for movement in an axial and radial path of travel between aradially inner position, axially removed from a work station, and aradially outer position at the machining station, means for relativelyrotating the machining means and the clamping means, and means formoving the machining means axially and radially into cutting engagementwith the radially inner surface of the ring-shaped workpiece clamped atthe machining station to machine the radially inner surface of a clampedworkpiece.

The present invention may more readily be described by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a partly sectional, side elevational view of machiningapparatus constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 1A is an end elevational view, taken along the line lAlA of FIG. 1,illustrating a typical split engine ring which can be machined byapparatus constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partly sectional, fragmentary side elevationalview, more particularly illustrating the mechanism for machining theinterior surface of a ringshaped workpiece;

FIG. 3 is a still further enlarged, fragmentary top plan view ofapparatus constructed according to the present invention, particularlyillustrating inner and outer machiningltools in position tosimultaneously machine the radiallyinner and outer surfaces of aring-shaped workpiece;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, sectional fragmentary end elevational view, takenalong the line 44 of FIG. 2, illustrating a tool mounting slide, in aradially inner position, and a rotary cam for feeding the slide in ato-andfro path of travel;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view, taken along the line 55 ofFIG. 2, illustrating the slide moving cam rotatably displaced from theposition illustrated in FIG. 4, and the tool mounting slide in a radialouter machining position, part of the tool mounting slide being brokenaway to more clearly illustrate the slide moving cam;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary end elevational view taken along theline 6-6 of FIG. 1, illustrating a rotary fluid drive unit, for rotatingthe slide moving cam, the chain lines illustrating a different positionof rotation;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of mechanismconstructed according to the present invention and illustrating a pairof opposed, inner and outer machining tools simultaneously machininginner and outer surfaces of a ring-shaped workpiece clamped at the workstation;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, sectional top plan view of a ma chined workpiecewhich has internal and external grooves cut in its radially inner andouter surfaces by the plunge cutting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of a machineconstructed according to the present invention and illustrating an outertool for machining the exterior surface of a workpiece and an inner toolfor simultaneously keystoning the inner surface of a ringshapedworkpiece clamped at the work station;

FIG. 10 is a still further enlarged cross-sectional view of an enginering machined with the machining apparatus illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of a machineconstructed according to the present invention and particularlyillustrating an inner boring tool for boring the interior surface of aring-shaped workpiece clamped at the work station; and radiallydiametrically opposed, exterior surface plunge cutting and finishingtools; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a typical control circuit foroperating the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1-1 1.

THE GENERAL DESCRIPTION Machining apparatus constructed according to theinvention is mounted on a frame, generally designated F, which issimilar to the frame F in US. Pat. application Ser. No. 026,027, filedby Mr. Edward F. Sullivan in the US. Pat. Office on Apr. 6, 1970,entitled Method and Apparatus for Machining rings and now US. Pat. No.3,660,945, and incorporated herein by reference. Apparatus, not shown,but fully disclosed in the referenced patent application, is providedfor urging a stack S of split engine rings P into engagement with thevertical end wall 24a of a frame supported housing 200, constructedidentically to the housing H disclosed in the above referenced patentapplication. A guillotine feeder mechanism, generally designated G, isprovided for successively individually stripping an endmost ring P froma stack S of such rings and transferring it individually to a ringclosing sleeve, generally designated C. The guillotine mechanism G isconstructed identically to the guillotine mechanism G disclosed in theabove referenced patent application and includes a double acting, fluidoperated, solenoid controlled cylinder 22 for reciprocally moving theguillotine G in a vertical path of travel, as will be described moreparticularly hereinafter, to successively strip the endmost rings fromthe stack S and move them into the frame supported closing sleeve Cwhich is constructed identically to the closing sleeve C in thereferenced patent application.

Transfer apparatus, generally designated T, is provided and includes arotatable clamping ring for engaging one side of a ring P, positioned inthe closing sleeve C, and moving it through the sleeve C into engagementwith an axially opposed clamping ring 12, rotatably mounted on themachine frame F, to a machining station W. A cutterhead assembly,generally designated 14, is movable to a position interiorly of the ring12 for machining the radially interior surface 15 of the ring P clampedat the machining station W. Additional exterior surface ring machiningtool assemblies, generally designated 16 and 18, (FIG. 3) are mounted onthe machine frame F for simultaneously machining the exterior surface ofa ring P clamped at the work station W in a manner to be described moreparticularly hereinafter.

Each of the split rings P (FIG. 1A), in uncompressed position, has a gapg between its ends. When a stack S of rings is positioned on the frameF, the gaps g in the rings in stack S are longitudinally aligned, andthe rings are supported by the structure disclosed in the abovereferenced patent application.

THE TRANSFER AND CLAMPING APPARATUS The transfer apparatus T for movingthe rings P axially through the closing sleeve C includes a framesupporting housing member H mounting a double-acting, fluid operated,solenoid actuated cylinder 24. The cylinder 24 includes a piston rod 26connected to a rotatable ring clamp mounting shaft 29 by a coupling 27which permits the shaft 29 to rotate relative to the piston rod 26. Thering clamp mounting shaft 29 is journaled in housing supported bearings29a and has a annular, ring clamp 10 fixed thereto. The closing sleeve Cis mounted for movement, from the axially removed position, illustratedin chain lines in FIG. 1, to the workpiece receiving position at thework station W, il-

lustrated in solid lines in FIG. 1, on a longitudinal mounting bar 28slidably movable in the housing H and connected to the piston rod 30 ofa fluid operated, double-acting, solenoid actuated cylinder 32 fixed tothe housing B. After a ring P is clamped between the ring clamps l0 and12 at the work station W, the closing sleeve moving cylinder 32 isoperated to move the closing sleeve C to the axially remote positionillustrated in chain lines in FIG. I, removed from the work station W,before machining commences, to permit the exterior surface machiningtools 16 and 18 to machine the radially outer peripheral surface of aring clamped'at the work station W. The ring clamp moving cylinder 24exerts sufficient force that the ring P is held in the radiallyconstricted position by the spindle clamp 12 and the ring clamp 10 afterthe closing sleeve is moved to its removed position.

The ring clamp member 12 is fixed to a tubular spindle 36 which isrotatably mounted in the frame supported housing 20 by bearings 38. Thespindle 36 is externally splined and drivingly coupled to the internallyand complementally splined hub of a drive pulley 40 which is driven by amotor driven timing belt 44 trained around the output shaft (not shown)of a drive motor Ml, (line L3, FIG. 12).

THE INTERIOR SURFACE MACHINING ASSEMBLY The cutter head assembly,generally designated 14, (FIGS. 1 and 2) is mounted on a tubular cutterhead support sleeve 48 axially slidably received within the tubularspindle 36. The cutter head assembly 14 supports an annular, internallythreaded end ring 50, mounted on the threaded end 48a of the tubularsupport member 48, which has a pair of vertically spaced, generallyhorizontal, parallel dovetail slides 52 (FIGS. 2 and 4) slidablyreceiving a tool mounting slide or head 54, which has complementallyformed dovetail grooves 56.

The tool mounting slide 54 mounts a machining tool 58, such as a plungecutting tool, for cutting an annular groove (FIG. 8) in the interiorsurface of the ring P, clamped at the work station W, when the workpieceholding slide 54 is moved from the radially inner position, illustratedin FIG. 4, to the radially outer position, illustratedin FIG. 5. Theworkpiece holding slide 54 is vertically recessed at 61 for receiving acam 62 fixed to the end of a rotatable shaft 64 which is rotatably received in the tubular support member 48. The cam mounting shaft 64 isrotatable about its axis a whereas the axis b of the cam 62 iseccentrically offset from axis a. As the shaft 64 is angularly displacedthrough part of a revolution in alternate directions about axis a, thecam 62 alternately engages surfaces 610 and 61b, on opposite sides ofthe vertical recess 60, to alternately feed the tool mounting slide 54in opposite directions as represented by the arrows 0.

An axial bore 66 is provided in the shaft 64 and communicates with apassage 68 communicating with a source of air such as a pressure tankand compressor, to blow chips, cut by the cutting tool 58, away from thetool 58. An aperture 69 is provided in the cam 62 in axial alignmentwith the bore 66 to permit the free and continuous flow of air to themachining station W.

For rotating the cam positioning shaft 64 about its axis a, a rotary,fluid drive motor unit, generally designated 70, is mounted on acarriage 72 (FIG. 1) which tacts LS8a of a limit switch LS-8 mounted onthe frame in the path of the ROTAC supported actuator 88. Thepositioning sleeve retract solenoid 32a (line L8) for directing fluid tothe closing sleeve positioning cylinder 32 so as to retract the closingsleeve 32 to the inoperative position, illustrated in chain lines inFIG. I, is connected in series with the normally open contacts LS4awhich close when the clamp ring mounting piston reaches its forwardmostposition, illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 1, to actuate the limitswitch LS-4. The closing sleeve advance solenoid 3211 (line L9) fordirecting fluid to the cylinder 32 so that it will advance the closingsleeve C to the ring receiving position at the work station W, isconnected in series with a set of nor mally open contacts LS-lc whichclose when the clamp ring mounting ring 10 is fully retracted to actuatethe limit switch LS-l.

The advance solenoid 92a (line L10) of the platform positioning cylinder72 for advancing the interior surface machining tool 58 axially to themachining station, is connected in series with the normally opencontacts LS4b which close when the piston rod 26 of the clamp advancecylinder 24 reaches the forwardmost position, illustrated in solid linesin FIG. 1, to actuate the limit switch LS4. The platform positioningretract solenoid 92b (line L11) is connected in series with the normallyopen contacts LS7a which close when the ROTAC supported actuator 88 isreturned to the solid line position illustrated in FIG. 9 to actuate thelimit switch LS-7.

The advance solenoid 700 (line L12) for directing hydraulic fluid to theROTAC unit 70 so as to rotate the ROTAC unit 70 and the accompanyingactuator 88 from the start position, illustrated in solid lines, to theopposite position, illustrated in chain lines, is connected in serieswith the normally open contacts LS-Sa which close when the limit switchLSS, in the path of the actuator 97 on the platform positioning cylinderpiston rod 94, is actuated as the actuator 97 reaches its axially innerposition. The retract solenoid 70b (line L13) for directing fluid to theROTAC unit such that the ROTAC unit will return to the start position,illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 9, is connected in series with thenormally open contacts LS-6a which close when a limit switch LS6 mountedon the frame is actuated by the ROTAC supported actuator 88.

The limit switch LS4, positioned in the path of the ring clamp 10, alsoincludes a set of contacts LS4c (line L14) connected in series with atimer T which includes aset of contacts T1 and T2 (lines L15 and L17)which close a predetermined time after the timer T has been actuated.The timer contacts T1 (line L15) are connected in series with theadvance solenoid 102a for moving the exterior machining tool 109 intomachining position in timed relation with the movement of the interiormachining tool 58. The retract solenoid l02b (line L16) for retractingthe exterior machining tool 109 is connected in series with the normallyopen con tacts LS9a which are closed when the limit switch LS9, mountedin the path of the tool mounting carriage 99, is actuated after theouter surface of the clamped ring is machined.

The timer contacts T2 (line L17) are connected in series circuit withthe advance solenoid 118a for advancing the external grooving tool 124inwardly toward the outer periphery of the ring. The retract solenoidll8b l.c L18) for retracting the machine tool 124 is connected in serieswith the normally open contacts LS-l0a which close when the limit switchLS10 is engaged by the tool mounting carriage 114.

THE OPERATION When power is applied to the circuit illustrated in FIG.13, it will be assumed that the axially movable ring clamp 10 isinitially in the rearward position, illustrated in chain lines in FIG.2, that the actuator 23 connected to the piston rod of cylinder 24 is inengagement with the limit switch LS-l, and that the closing sleeve C isin the advanced, ring receiving position, illustrated in solid lines inFIG. 1. When power is applied to the circuit, the motor Ml (line L3)will be energized to rotatably drive the clamping spindle 48 supportingthe opposite ring clamp 12. With the limit switch LS-l being actuated bythe actuator 23, the contacts LS-la (line L4) will close to energize theguillotine lowering solenoid 22a which will be operative to direct fluidto the cylinder 22 so that the guillotine blade G will move downwardlyto strip only the endmost piston ring from the stack S and move itdownwardly to a position where it is guided by the closing sleeve C asdescribed in the referenced patent application. As the guillotinereaches its lowermost position and the ring P is positioned in theclosing sleeve C, it actuates the limit switch LS2 and the limit switchcontacts LS-2a (line L6) close to actuate the piston ring clampadvancing solenoid 24a (line L6) to move the ring clamp 10 forwardlyfrom the axially removed position, illustrated in chain lines in FIG. 2,so that the ring P is moved axially in the tapered bore portion 14a ofthe closing sleeve to radially constrict the workpiece P and close thegap between its split ends. When the ring clamp 10 is moved forwardly,it will tightly clamp the ring P to the rotating spindle 12 and theclamped ring and clamp 10 will rotate therewith. When the clamp 10 ismoved to its forwardmost clamping position, the limit switch LS4 isactuated to close the contacts LS-4a (line L8), LS4b (line L10) and LS4c(line L14). When the contacts LS4a close; the closing sleeve retractsolenoid 32a (line L8) is energized to retract the closing sleeve to theretracted position, illustrated in chain lines in FIG. 1.Simultaneously, the closing of contacts LS4b (line L5) energizes theplatform advance solenoid 92a to forwardly advance the cutter head 14and move the grooving tool 58 from the retracted position, illustratedin chain lines in FIG. 3 to a position inside the ring P clamped at thework station W. At the same time, the timer T in line L14 is actuated asthe contacts LS4c close.

When the interior grooving tool 58 has been moved to a position insidethe ring to be grooved, the limit switch LSS is actuated to close thecontacts LSSa (line L12) to actuate the solenoid a for directing fluidto the ROTAC unit 70 in such a direction as to move the ROTAC armature82 and the actuator 88 from the start position, illustrated in solidlines in FIG. 6, to the position, illustrated in chain lines in FIG. 6.The cutter head support shaft 64 is thereby rotated, causing the cam 62fixed to the end of the shaft 64, to move clockwisely (FIGS. 4 and 5)and feed the tool mounting slide 54 and tool 58 in a cutting path oftravel from the radially inner position, illustrated in FIG. 4, to theradially outer position, illustrated in FIG. 5, to progressively groovethe interior surface of the clamped engine ring P. At the same time, thetimer T (line L14) has timed out and the contacts T1 (line L13) close tois reciprocally movable on ways 74 provided on a frame-supportedplatform 76. The rotary drive unit 70 includes an outer casing 78bolted, as at 80, to the platform 72 and, as at 81, to an annular flange481) on the end of the tubular cutter head support member 48. The rotarydrive unit 70 includes an output shaft 84 connected to the cam mountingshaft 64 by a pin 84a. A fluid operated, rotary, oscillating, torqueactuator of the type manufactured by Excello Corporation, Detroit, Mich,and sold under the trademark ROTAC, has been found suitable for thispurpose. A limit switch actuating and position control arm 88 isconnected to opposite end of the shaft 84 and is movable therewithbetween angularly spaced, start and finish positions, illustrated insolid and chain lines, respectively, in FIG. 6 to actuate a pair ofrotation reversing limit switches LS-6 and LS-7 supported on the motorcasing 78. A pair of stops 89 and 90 are provided on the motor frame topositively interrupt the position control arm 88 and positively haltrotation of the motor shaft 84. The system for directing fluid to themotor will be described more particularly hereinafter. For axiallyreciprocating the rotary drive motor support platform 72 and thecutterhead 14 between the axially removed and operative positions,illustrated in chain and solid lines respectively in FIG. 1, to move theinterior surface machining tool 58 between an axially remote positionand a position at the work station inside a workpiece P clamped at thework station, a double-acting, fluid operated cylinder 92 is supportedon the platform 76 and includes a piston rod 94 fixed to a leg 96depending from the platform 72. Mounted on the rear end of the pistonrod 94 at the platform positioning cylinder 92 is an actuator 97 movablewith the piston rod 94 for engaging a pair of limit switches LS-S andLS-& for a purpose to be described more particularly hereinafter.

THE MACHINING APPARATUS FOR MACHINING THE OUTER PERIPHERAL SURFACE Theexterior surface machining tool assembly, generally designated 16, isprovided on the front side of the work station W in FIG. 3, and includesa longitudinally movable carriage99 (FIG. 3) supported for longitudinalmovement by a pair of longitudinal framesupported rails 100. Thecarriage 99 may be longitudinally driven by a frame-supported,double-acting, fluid operated, solenoid actuated cylinder 102 having apiston rod 104 connected with the carriage 99 or alternatively could bedriven by motor M1 via a ball screw and nut assembly. Supported on thecarriage 99 for to-andfro transverse movement thereon, in the pathrepresented by the arrows e (FIG. 3) is a sub-carriage 106 mounting atool holder 108 having a machining tool 109 removably fixed thereto. Thetool 109, illustrated in FIG. 3, is a finishing tool for finishing theouter peripheral surface of ring P. For transversely moving the carriage106, a double-acting fluid operated, solenoid actuated cylinder 110 isfixed to the platform 99 and includes a piston rod 111 connected at itsforward end to a connector arm 112 fixed to the transversely movablecarriage 106.

The exterior surface machining tool assembly 18 is mounted on the frameF at the rear side of the workpiece machining station W in FIG. 3, andincludes a carriage 114 transversely movable, in the direction of thearrows f, on a pair of frame-supported tracks 116 by a double acting,solenoid actuated, fluid controlled,

cylinder 118 having a piston rod 119 fixed to the carriage 114.Supported on the carriage 114 for longitudinal reciprocable movementthereon, in the path represented by the arrows g, is a sub-carriage 120having a tool holder member 122 fixed thereto which mounts a tool member124. The machining tool 124, illustrated in FIG. 3, is a plunge cuttingtool for providing an annular groove 126 in the outer peripheral surfaceof a ring P clamped at the work station W. The interior surfacemachining tool 58 is provided for grooving and simultaneously finishingthe interior groove surfaces of the ring. A ring machined with theexterior grooving and finishing tools 124, 109 and internal grooving andtinishing tool 58 has the cross section as illustrated in FIG. 8.

Instead of grooving the outer peripheral surface with the grooving tool124, the outer surface could alternatively be faced with turning tool109. In this case a substitute internal diameter grooving tool 580 (FIG.7), which provides a deeper out than the tool 58, may be utilized.

Instead of grooving the inner peripheral surfaces of a ring, the innerperipheral surface may be keystoned by a keystoning tool 58b (FIG. 9),while the outer peripheral surface is simultaneously turned by tool 109,to provide a resulting ring P having the cross section illustrated inFIG. 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the keystoning tool 58b can be replaced by aboring tool 580 mounted on tool holder 500 to bore the inner surface ofthe workpiece P clamped to the work station. At the same time, theexterior turning tool 109 and the exterior grooving tool 124 cansimultaneously machine the outer periphery of the workpiece. When theinterior surface is merely bored, the grooving tool 124 can provide adeeper exterior groove in the exterior surface as illustrated in FIG.11.

THE CONTROL SYSTEM Referring now more particularly to FIG. 13, asuitable source of power, such as volt, 60 cycle, alternating current,is connected across a pair of lines L1 and L2. A plurality of lines,generally designated L3 1.18, are connected across the lines L1 and L2and include a plurality of circuit elements to be presently described.Connected in line L3 is the armature of the spindle drive motor armatureM1 for driving the clamp support spindle 48. The guillotine loweringsolenoid 22a (line L4) is connected in series with sets of normally opencontacts LS-la and LS-3a which are respectively closed when the limitswitches LS-l and LS-3, respectively, positioned in the paths of theactuator 23 on the clamp actuating cylinder 24 and the closing sleeve, Care .actuated. The guillotine raise solenoid 22b (line L5) is connectedin series with the normally closed contactsLS-lb which open when thering clamp 10 has been retracted to its rearwardmost position,illustrated in chain lines, so that the actuator 23, on the clampactuating cylinder 24, actuates the switch LS-l. The clamp advancingsolenoid 240 (line L6) is connected in series with the normally opencontacts LS2a of the limit switch LS-2 which is actuated when theguillotine G is in its lowermost position after stripping a ring P fromthe stack S and moving it downwardly into the closing sleeve C. Theclamp retract solenoid 24b (line L7) for retracting the clamp controlcylinder 24 is connected in series with the normally open conenergizethe carriage advance solenoid 102a to advance the external surfacemachining tool 109 into cutting engagement with the outer surface of theclamped engine ring (FIG. 3). Simultaneously, the timer contacts T2(line L18) close to energize the carriage advance solenoid 118a (lineL18) to feed the diametrically opposed, external surface machining tool124 in a cutting path of travel to progressively plunge out a groove inthe outer peripheral surface of the ring. The diametrically opposedouter peripheral portions of the clamped ring are thus simultaneouslymachined to provide truly concentric inner and outer peripheralsurfaces. When the output shaft 84 of the ROTAC unit 70 has been rotatedthrough a predetermined angle, the actuator 88 connected thereto willengage the frame supported stop 89 to positively halt any furthermovement of the shaft 84 and cam supporting shaft 64 so that themovement of the cam 62 and the tool supporting slide 54 is preciselycontrolled and a precise cut is made. The limit switch LS6, in the pathof the ROTAC shaft supported actuator 88, is actuated to close thecontacts LS6a (line L13) to energize the retract solenoid 70b of thevalve which directs fluid to the ROTAC unit in such a direction as toreturn the ROTAC unit and the actuator 88 to the start position,illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 6. When the ROTAC shaft 84 isreturned to its start position, the actuator 88 engages the framesupported stop 90 to again positively halt the ROTAC unit shaft 84, thecam supporting shaft 64, the cam 62 mounted thereon and the toolmounting slide 54. At this time, the limit switch LS7 is actuated by theROTAC supported actuator 88 to close the normally open contacts LS7a(line L11) to actuate the cutter head retract solenoid 92b to move thecutter head 14 to the axially remote position illustrated in chain linesin FIG. 1. At the same time, the limit switches LS-9 and LS-l have beenactuated by the exterior tool mounting carriages 99 and 114 to close thecontacts LS-9a (line L16) and LS-l0a (line L18) and energize the retractsolenoids 102b 11% so that the external tool supporting carriages 99 and114 are returned to their starting positions. When the cutter head 14 isfully retracted to its starting position, the limit switch LS-8 isactuated to close the normally open contacts LS-Sa (line L7) andenergize the retract solenoid 24b to retract the ring clamp to theretracted position illustrated in chain lines in FIG. 2 to release themachined ring which falls to a discharge chute. When the clamp retractcylinder 24 is fully retracted, the actuator 23 engages the limit switchLS-l. The contacts LSlc (line L9) close to energize the closing sleeveadvancing solenoid 32b (line L9), to advance the closing sleeve C to thering receiving position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 1. When theclosing sleeve is returned to its ring receiving position, the limitswitch LS-3 is again actuated and the contacts LS-3a (line L4) close toenergize the guillotine lowering solenoid 22a to lower the guillotine Gso that the operation may again be repeated. If it is desired to replacethe plunge cutting grooving tool 58 on the cutterhead 14 with the boringtool 580 (FIG. 11), it may be quickly and simply accomplished by merelybacking off the bolts 80 mounting the. ROTAC unit 70 to the movablecarriage 72 and to the tubular support member 48, moving the ROTAC unit70 rearwardly, inserting a spacer, illustrated in chain lines at 105(FIG. 2), between the flange 48 and the ROTAC unit 70. The

ROTAC unit and the cam supporting shaft 64, which is connected thereto,are moved axially with the ROTAC unit to the chain line position,illustrated at 70' in FIG. 2, so that the cam 62 is thus axially movedout of the radial path of the tool slide 54. The tool supporting sleevemember 50 is then unturned and a boring head 50a, mounting a boring tool580, is threadedly received thereon.

It should be appreciated, of course, that the machine tool support heads54, 50b, and 500 are threaded to oppose the direction of rotation sothat the threads will tend to tighten during the cutting operation. Thisstriicture permits the simple and easy replacement of the machine toolsupport heads so that the machine can be used as either an internaldiameter boring, grooving, or keystoning machine. Moreover, the timerequired for changeover is relatively short.

Because the ROTAC unit is directly connected to the shaft 64, there isno chatter, twisting, lost motion and play in the system and the cuttingis extremely accurate. After a ring is machine and the clamps 10 and 12are separated to release the machined ring, a sensor (not shown) can beused to prevent further cycling until the machined ring clears the workstation W.

It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are inall cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles ofthe invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it iscontemplated that various changes may be made in various elements toachieve like results without departing from the spirit of the inventionor the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for machining ring-shaped workpieces, such as split enginerings, including:

supporting means;

means supported thereby for sequentially delivering workpieces to amachining station including means for axially individually moving theworkpieces to said machining station and for clamping axially oppositesides of a workpiece at said machining station;

workpiece machining means, mounted on said support means for movement inan axial and radially outward path between a radially inner position,axially removed from said machining station, and a radially outerposition at said machining station for machining the radially innersurface of a workpiece clamped at said machining station;

means on said support means for relatively rotating said machining meansand said clamping means; and

means on said support means for moving said machining means in saidaxial and radially outward path of travel into cutting engagement withthe interior surface of a ring-shaped workpiece clamped at saidmachining station to progressively cut the radially inner surface ofsaid workpiece.

2. Apparatus for machining ring-shaped workpieces comprising:

a frame;

means on said frame for sequentially delivering workpieces to a workstation including means for clamping axially opposite sides thereof atsaid work station;

means on said frame for simultaneously machining the radially inner andradially outer surfaces of said workpieces including:

first machining means movable in a cutting path of travel between aradially inner, inoperative position and a radially outer operativeposition engaging the interior surface of a clamped workpiece at saidwork station;

means for moving said first machining means in said cutting path oftravel between said radially inner and outer positions;

second machining means movable between a removed inoperative positionand an operative position engaging the exterior surface of a workpiececlamped at said work station;

means for relatively rotating said first and second machining means andsaid clamping means when at least one of said machining means is in saidoperative positions; and

means for moving said second machining means between said inoperativeand operative positions in timed relation with the movement of saidfirst machining means between said removed and operative positions suchthat the radially inner and outer surfaces are simultaneouslyconcentrically machined.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said second machiningmeans includes a pair of generally diametrically opposed machine toolsmounted for movement toward and away from diametrically opposed portionsof said workpiece.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said first machining meansincludes tool support means mounted on said frame for movement in ato-and-fro path of travel between radially inner and radially outerpositions; rotatable means on said tool support means for moving saidtool support means between its radially inner and outer positions whenit is rotated, and means for rotating said rotatable means.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said workpieces compriseconstrictable workpieces each normally having a gap therein, saidapparatus including tubular, workpiece receiving closing sleeve meansfor receiving a workpiece and cooperating with said workpiece deliveringmeans to constrict said workpiece and at least partially close said gapas said workpiece is axially moved to said machining station; and meansmounting said closing sleeve on said frame for movement in an axial pathof travel between an axially removed position and a workpiece receivingposition at said work station when a workpiece is clamped at saidmachining station.

6. Apparatus for machining ring-shaped workpieces, such as split enginerings, comprising:

a frame having a machining station thereon;

means on said frame for sequentially delivering workpieces to saidmachining station;

first and second clamp members mounted on said frame for relative axialmovement between an axially spread, inoperative position and a lessspread operative workpiece clamping position;

means for cyclically moving said clamp members between said inoperativeand operative workpiece clamping positions to sequentially clamp andrelease workpieces delivered to said machining station;

workpiece machining means for machining the radially inner surface of aworkpiece at said machining station and mounted on said frame for axialmovement between an axially removed position and a position inside aworkpiece clamped at said machining station;

means for relatively rotating said workpiece machining means and saidfirst and second clamp members when said machining means is positionedinside a workpiece clamped at said machining station;

means mounting said machining means for movement in a cutting path oftravel between a radially inner position and a radially outer positionin cutting engagement with the interior surface of said workpiece; and

means for moving said machining means in said cutting path of travelbetween said radially inner and outer positions when said machiningmeans is inside said workpiece at said work machining station toprogressively machine the radially inner surface of said workpiece.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said machining meanscomprises plunge cutting tool means for cutting an annular groove in theradially inner surface of said workpiece.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 including additional machiningmeans mounted on said frame for movement between a removed inoperativeposition and a machining position in engagement with the outerperipheral surface of a workpiece at said machining station, and meansfor moving said additional machining means between said removed andmachining positions, in timed relation with the movement of said firstmentioned workpiece machining means, to its radially outer position sothat the radially inner and outer surfaces are simultaneously,progressively and concentrically machined.

9. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 including carriage means mountedon said frame for movement in an axial path of travel toward and awayfrom said machining station; said workpiece machining means beingmounted on said carriage means for movement therewith between saidaxially removed position and said position inside said workpiece and formovement relative thereto between said radially inner and outerpositions; said moving means for moving said machining means betweensaid radially inner and outer positions including rotatable means onsaid carriage means for moving said workpiece machining means betweensaid radially inner and outer positions, and rotary, fluid driven meansdirectly connected to said rotatable means for rotating said rotatablemeans.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said carriage meanscomprises a tubular support member, said workpiece machining meanscomprising a cutter head assembly removably connected to said tubularmember and including cutting tool support means mounted on said cutterhead assembly for reciprocating movement between radially innerinoperative, and radially outer, operative, positions; said rotatablemeans being disposed within said tubular member and including means forreciprocating said cutting tool mounting means between said radiallyinner and outer positions when said rotatable means is rotated.

11. The apparatus set forth in claim 10 wherein said reciprocating meansis axially aligned with said rotatable means so as to be wholly withinthe perimetrical outline of said rotatable means in at least oneposition such that said reciprocating means and rotatable means and saidcutterhead assembly are relatively axially movable.

12. Apparatus for machining the radially inner surface of a ring-shapedworkpiece, such as a split engine ring, comprising:

a frame having a workpiece machining station thereon;

means on said frame for sequentially delivering workpieces to saidmachining station;

first and second clamps for clamping a workpiece de-- livered to saidmachining station;

a tubular support member mounted on said frame;

a cutter head assembly removably connected to said tubular member andincluding cutting tool support means mounted on said cutter headassembly for to-and-fro movement between radially inner inoperative andradially outer operative positions;

means for relatively rotating said cutter head assembly and said clampswhen said tool support means is in said radially outer operativeposition;

rotatable means, having at least a portion rotatably disposed withinsaid tubular member, and including means for feeding said cutting toolsupport means in a cutting path of travel between said radially innerand outer positions to machine the radially inner surface of a workpiececlamped at said work station when said rotatable means is rotated; and

means for rotating said rotatable means to feed said cutting toolsupport means in said cutting path of travel;

said moving means being of such size with respect to said rotatablemeans so that in at least one position of rotation of said rotatablemeans, the moving means is wholly within the radial extent of saidrotatable means, and said rotatable means and said moving means, andsaid cutterhead assembly are relatively axially movable when the movingmeans and said rotatable means are aligned to permit said cutterheadassembly to be removed from said tubular member.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said rotatable means comprises arotatable shaft and said feeding means comprises cam means fixed to saidshaft for movement therewith to move said tool support means betweensaid radially inner position and said radially outer position; said cammeans being of such size with respect to said shaft that it can bepositioned wholly radially within the radial extent of said shaft suchthat said moving means and rotatable means and said cutterhead assemblyare relatively axially movable.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said cutting tool supportmeans is mounted for generally radial movement in a to-and-fro path oftravel; said moving means comprising cam means for moving said cuttingtool mounting means.

15. The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein said tubular supportmember is mounted for axial movement toward and away from said machiningstation to move said cutterhead assembly between an axially removedposition and a position at said machining station; means is provided foraxially moving said tubular support member and cutterhead between saidaxially removed and said position at said machining station.

16. Apparatus for machining ring-shaped workpieces comprising:

a frame having a machining station thereon;

means for sequentially delivering workpieces to said machining station;

means for clamping a workpiece delivered to said machining station;

carriage means mounted on said frame and movable in an axial path oftravel toward and away from said machining station;

means for moving said carriage means in said axial path of travel;

workpiece machining means mounted on said carriage means for movementtherewith between an axially removed position and a position inside saidworkpiece and for movement relative thereto in a cutting path of travelbetween radially inner and radially outer positions;

rotatable means on said carriage for feeding said workpiece machiningmeans between said radially inner and outer positions;

rotary fluid driven motor means directly connected to, and axiallyaligned with said rotatable means for rotating said rotatable means atsaid machining station in a to-and-fro rotary path of travel to feedsaid workpiece machining means between said radially inner and outerpositions;

fluid circuit means for directing fluid to said motor means to rotatesaid rotatable means in a first direction and move said workpiecemachining means between said radially inner and outer positions whensaid workpiece machining means is inside said workpiece;

additional fluid circuit means for directing fluid to said motor meansto oppositely rotate said rotatable means so that said rotatable meansreturns said workpiece machining means to said radially inner position.

17. The apparatus set forth in claim 16 including stop means forpositively halting said rotary motor after said rotatable means has beenrotated by said fluid circuit means through a predetermined angulardisplacement.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION I Patent No.5,756,099 Dated Sqptember A, 1973 Inventor(s) ,EDWARD F. SULLIVAN It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: 7

Column A, line 45, cancel "workpiece", line 44, "holding" should readtool mounting line A6, "workpiece holding" should read tool mountingColumn 5, line 67, "i" should read h Column 6, line 3, cancel in thepath repre-", line A, cancel "sented by the arrows g, line 4O, "15"should read l2. Column 7, line 2, cancel "ROTAC supported"; line 5, "88"should read 97 on the piston rod 9 line 5, "32" second occurrence shouldread C line 19, change "72" to 92 -.-.-r line 29, change "9" to 6 lineA5, change "9" to 6 Column 8, line LI-LL, change "L5" to LlO line 57,

cancel "82" Column 9, line 68, "A8" should read LSa Column 10, line 7,"50a" should read 50c Column 11, line 6h, after "moving", insert one ofColumn 15, lines 55, 57, 40 and Al, change "moving" to feeding Column 1line 2, cancel "mov-"; line 5, "ing" should read feeding Column 1A, line#5, after "workpiece; insert and Column 14, line 52, after "motor"insert means Signed and sealed thi 6 th day of August 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. Apparatus for machining ring-shaped workpieces, such as split enginerings, including: supporting means; means supported thereby forsequentially delivering workpieces to a machining station includingmeans for axially individually moving the workpieces to said machiningstation and for clamping axially opposite sides of a workpiece at saidmachining station; workpiece machining means, mounted on said supportmeans for movement in an axial and radially outward path between aradially inner position, axially removed from said machining station,and a radially outer position at said machining station for machiningthe radially inner surface of a workpiece clamped at said machiningstation; means on said support means for relatively rotating saidmachining means and said clamping means; and means on said support meansfor moving said machining means in said axial and radially outward pathof travel into cutting engagement with the interior surface of aring-shaped workpiece clamped at said machining station to progressivelycut the radially inner surface of said workpiece.
 2. Apparatus formachining ring-shaped workpieces comprising: a frame; means on saidframe for sequentially delivering workpieces to a work station includingmeans for clamping axially opposite sides thereof at said work station;means on said frame for simultaneously machining the radially inner andradially outer surfaces of said workpieces including: first machiningmeans movable in a cutting path of travel between a radially inner,inoperative position and a radially outer operative position engagingthe interior surface of a clamped workpiece at said work station; meansfor moving said first machining means in said cutting path of travelbetween said radially inner and outer positions; second machining meansmovable between a removed inoperative position and an operative positionengaging the exterior surface of a workpiece clamped at said workstation; means for relatively rotating said first and second machiningmeans and said clamping means when at least one of said machining meansis in said operative positions; and means for moving said secondmachining means between said inoperative and operative positions intimed relation with the movement of said first machining means betweensaid removed and operative positions such that the radially inner andouter surfaces are simultaneously concentrically machined.
 3. Theapparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said second machining meansincludes a pair of generally diametrically opposed machine tools mountedfor movement toward and away from diametrically opposed portions of saidworkpiece.
 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said firstmachining means includes tool support means mounted on said frame formovement in a to-and-fro path of travel between radially inner andradially outer positions; rotatable means on said tool support means formoving said tool support means between its radially inner and outerpositions when it is rotated, and means for rotating said rotatablemeans.
 5. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said workpiecescomprise constrictable workpieces each normally having a gap therein,said apparatus including tubular, workpiece receiving closing sleevemeans for receiving a workpiece and cooperating with said workpiecedelivering means to constrict said workpiece and at least partiallyclose said gap as said workpiece is axially moved to said machiningstation; and means mounting said closing sleeve on said frame formovement in an axial path of travel between an axially removed positionand a workpiece receiving position at said work station when a workpieceis clamped at said machining station.
 6. Apparatus for machiningring-shaped workpieces, such as split engine rings, comprising: a framehaving a machining station thereon; means on said frame for sequentiallydelivering workpieces to said machining station; first and second clampmembers mounted on said frame for relative axial movement between anaxially spread, inoperative position and a less spread operativeworkpiece clamping position; means for cyclically moving said clampmembers between said inoperative and operative workpiece clampingpositions to sequentially clamp and release workpieces delivered to saidmachining station; workpiece machining means for machining the radiallyinner surface of a workpiece at said machining station and mounted onsaid frame for axial movement between an axially removed position and aposition inside a workpiece clamped at said machining station; means forrelatively rotating said workpiece machining means and said first andsecond clamp members when said machining means is positioned inside aworkpiece clamped at said machining station; means mounting saidmachining means for movement in a cutting path of travel between aradially inner position and a radially outer position in cuttingengagement with the interior surface of said workpiece; and means formoving said machining means in said cutting path of travel between saidradially inner and outer positions when said machining means is insidesaid workpiece at said work machining station to progressively machinethe radially inner surface of said workpiece.
 7. The apparatus set forthin claim 6 wherein said machining means comprises plunge cutting toolmeans for cutting an annular groove in the radially inner surface ofsaid workpiece.
 8. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 includingadditional machining means mounted on said frame for movement between aremoved inoperative position and a machining position in engagement withthe outer peripheral surface of a workpiece at said machining station,and means for moving said additional machining means between saidremoved and machining positions, in timed relation with the movement ofsaid first mentioned workpiece machining means, to its radially outerposition so that the radially inner and outer surfaces aresimultaneously, progressively and concentrically machined.
 9. Theapparatus set forth in claim 6 including carriage means mounted on saidframe for movement in an axial path of travel toward and away from saidmachining station; said workpiece machining means being mounted on saidcarriage means for movement therewith between said axially removedposition and said position inside said workpiece and for movementrelative thereto between said radially inner and outer positions; saidmoving means for moving said machining means between said radially innerand outer positions including rotatable means on said carriage means formoving said workpiece machining means between said radially inner andouter positions, and rotary, fluid driven means directly connected tosaid rotatable means for rotating said rotatable means.
 10. Theapparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said carriage means comprises atubular support member, said workpiece machining means comprising acutter head assembly removably connected to said tubular member andincluding cutting tool support means mounted on said cutter headassembly for reciprocating movement between radially inner inoperative,and radially outer, operative, positions; said rotatable means beingdisposed within said tubular member and including means forreciprocating said cutting tool mounting means between said radiallyinner and outer positions when said rotatable means is rotated.
 11. Theapparatus set forth in claim 10 wherein said reciprocating means isaxially aligned with said rotatable means so as to be wholly within theperimetrical outline of said rotatable means in at least one positionsuch that said reciprocating means and rotatable means and saidcutterhead assembly are relatively axially movable.
 12. Apparatus formachining the radially inner surface of a ring-shaped workpiece, such asa split engine ring, comprising: a frame having a workpiece machiningstation thereon; means on said frame for sequentially deliveringworkpieces to said machining station; first and second clamps forclamping a workpiece delivered to said machining station; a tubularsupport member mounted on said frame; a cutter head assembly removablyconnected to said tubular member and including cutting tool supportmeans mounted on said cutter head assembly for to-and-fro movementbetween radially inner inoperative and radially outer operativepositions; means for relatively rotating said cutter head assembly andsaid clamps when said tool support means is in said radially outeroperative position; rotatable means, having at least a portion rotatablydisposed within said tubular member, and including means for feedingsaid cutting tool support means in a cutting path of travel between saidradially inner and outer positions to machine the radially inner surfaceof a workpiece clamped at said work station when said rotatable means isrotated; and means for rotating said rotatable means to feed saidcutting tool support means in said cutting path of travel; said movingmeans being of such size with respect to said rotatable means so that inat least one position of rotation of said rotatable means, the movingmeans is wholly within the radial extent of said rotatable means, andsaid rotatable means and said moving means, and said cutterhead assemblyare relatively axially movable when the moving means and said rotatablemeans are aligned to permit said cutterhead assembly to be removed fromsaid tubular member.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein saidrotatable means comprises a rotatable shaft and said feeding meanscomprises cam means fixed to said shaft for movemEnt therewith to movesaid tool support means between said radially inner position and saidradially outer position; said cam means being of such size with respectto said shaft that it can be positioned wholly radially within theradial extent of said shaft such that said moving means and rotatablemeans and said cutterhead assembly are relatively axially movable. 14.Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said cutting tool supportmeans is mounted for generally radial movement in a to-and-fro path oftravel; said moving means comprising cam means for moving said cuttingtool mounting means.
 15. The apparatus set forth in claim 13 whereinsaid tubular support member is mounted for axial movement toward andaway from said machining station to move said cutterhead assemblybetween an axially removed position and a position at said machiningstation; means is provided for axially moving said tubular supportmember and cutterhead between said axially removed and said position atsaid machining station.
 16. Apparatus for machining ring-shapedworkpieces comprising: a frame having a machining station thereon; meansfor sequentially delivering workpieces to said machining station; meansfor clamping a workpiece delivered to said machining station; carriagemeans mounted on said frame and movable in an axial path of traveltoward and away from said machining station; means for moving saidcarriage means in said axial path of travel; workpiece machining meansmounted on said carriage means for movement therewith between an axiallyremoved position and a position inside said workpiece and for movementrelative thereto in a cutting path of travel between radially inner andradially outer positions; rotatable means on said carriage for feedingsaid workpiece machining means between said radially inner and outerpositions; rotary fluid driven motor means directly connected to, andaxially aligned with said rotatable means for rotating said rotatablemeans at said machining station in a to-and-fro rotary path of travel tofeed said workpiece machining means between said radially inner andouter positions; fluid circuit means for directing fluid to said motormeans to rotate said rotatable means in a first direction and move saidworkpiece machining means between said radially inner and outerpositions when said workpiece machining means is inside said workpiece;additional fluid circuit means for directing fluid to said motor meansto oppositely rotate said rotatable means so that said rotatable meansreturns said workpiece machining means to said radially inner position.17. The apparatus set forth in claim 16 including stop means forpositively halting said rotary motor after said rotatable means has beenrotated by said fluid circuit means through a predetermined angulardisplacement.